Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has welcomed the new Policy Framework on Information Integrity in West Africa and the Sahel, calling it a timely step to address rising disinformation and related threats in the region. The outcome document was adopted on September 5, 2025, after a three-day Regional Conference on Information Integrity in West Africa and
Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has welcomed the new Policy Framework on Information Integrity in West Africa and the Sahel, calling it a timely step to address rising disinformation and related threats in the region.
The outcome document was adopted on September 5, 2025, after a three-day Regional Conference on Information Integrity in West Africa and the Sahel, held in Praia, Cape Verde, and organised by UNESCO and the Government of Cape Verde.
The 19-page Policy Framework was adopted to address increasing disinformation, hate speech, and misuse of digital technologies. It aims to promote trust in information, digital platform governance, and human rights as these threats grow in the region.
MRA, through its Programme Officer Ms Adesewa Akintokun, thanked UNESCO, governments, regional bodies, and civil society for developing the framework. MRA noted that, in an era of widespread misinformation undermining democracy and public trust, the initiative offers a valuable guide for building a stronger information environment.
She said MRA welcomes the framework’s focus on fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression and access to information, balanced with accountability and ethical standards for all actors. She emphasised that this approach helps prevent misuse of content regulation as censorship.
Ms Akintokun described the adoption of the Policy Framework, along with the “Praia Action Plan for Information Integrity in West Africa and the Sahel” and the “Guide for Regulators to Implement the Information Integrity Model Policy Information & Framework in West Africa and the Sahel” as positive milestones, noting that the true measure of the Framework’s success will depend on the effectiveness of its implementation.
She called on all stakeholders to show the political will, commitment, and cooperation needed to implement the document in order to promote information integrity and support democratic resilience in West Africa and the Sahel.
Ms Akintokun said: “As an organization committed to advancing media freedom, access to information, and the digital rights of citizens, MRA looks forward to working with national governments, regional bodies, civil society organizations, the media, and other stakeholders in the effective implementation of the framework,” adding: “We will continue to advocate for policies and practices that safeguard journalists, strengthen media institutions, and empower citizens to engage meaningfully in democratic governance.”
